Frequently Asked Questions

What fees are required?

There is a $75 family registration fee due at the time of registration. This fee will only be refunded if your children do not get placed into a class because the class is full. If you register and then withdraw, the fee will not be refunded. Each class has a lab fee which is due by the first day of class each year. This fee provides the materials needed for experiments. The fees vary depending on the class level.

What classes do you offer?

Please see our Curriculum and Class Descriptions

What curriculum do you use?

We offer a combination of Apologia and Berean Builders texts. Because each elementary class includes two grade levels, we use two books from the Berean Builders series and alternate between them each year. The middle school and high school level classes use the Apologia texts. General Science uses the 3rd edition and Physical Science uses the 4th edition of those books.

Are there prerequisites for any classes?

For Middle & High School: Yes, some middle and high school classes have math prerequisites. If a prerequisite is required, it will be listed in the class description in the Class Catalog. Generally, students should have completed the math level from the previous year (for example, General Science requires 6th grade math).

Reading: We ask that students be able to read independently by the end of fifth grade.

Biology Students: Students who take Biology must have completed at least Physical Science.

What constitutes the school year?

Classes begin the 3rd week of August and run through early May and follows a two-semester schedule.

Is there a dress code for CIM?

Yes. We require that appropriate, modest, as well as safe clothing be worn for science classes. This means no short shorts (i.e., athletic, cutoffs, etc.), jeans with holes, saggy jeans baring undergarments, pajama bottoms, midriff tops baring bellies, or plunging necklines, and closed toed shoes. Any of these items will be considered an infraction of our guidelines and the student will not be allowed to attend class.

What safety measures are in place?

All volunteers have been background checked and have completed a child abuse safety training class. Students are in the presence of at least two adults during official class times. The front doors of the building are locked just before class begins.

What work will be required of my child?

Students in the elementary age will have some homework during the week. The amount of work will depend on the class level. Students in middle and high school will have daily work. Daily work will include reading, questions over the reading, vocabulary cards, study guides, lab reports, and tests.

How do I register?

Please see our CIM Registration Steps.

Do I have to volunteer?

Yes! As a true co-op, we ask that at least one parent register for a parent volunteer role.

Opportunities to participate include teaching, assisting in a classroom, serving on the arrival or dismissal team, helping with special events planning, coordinating substitutes, assisting with the website, or being part of the substitute rotation.

Parents who teach a class on a weekly basis receive a 100% discount on their lab fees, and parents who assist in a classroom weekly receive a 50% discount on their lab fees.

What is your discipline policy?

Redirecting is the first step a teacher will take to get the students back on track. If a student is not following the classroom rules, and needs more than a reminder or redirection, the teacher and their grade-level coordinator will talk with the student privately. If the situation reoccurs on a regular basis, the teacher, grade-level coordinator, and parent liasion will contact the parents. As a last resort, the family will meet with the board to discuss the issue.

When can my children be on the premises?

Your child may enter their classroom no earlier than 10 minutes before class time. Your child must be picked up no later than 5 minutes after the end of their class. While on the premises, we ask that students stay off of the church playground. Please do not allow your children to jump the fence or enter the playground through the church building. Children may use the swings ONLY if an adult is AT the swings with them.

Can my child have a snack during class?

No. We request that all food be eaten either before class or after. Your child may bring a reusable water bottle to class. Students staying during both sessions may bring a snack to eat between the two class times.